Health Services has begun posting a monthly newsletter to its Web site. The first issue, released late in the fall semester, covers cold and flu, flu shots, hand-washing and norovirus.
Begin 2009 the right way: A Recreation Services membership provides many opportunities for NIU faculty and staff to improve their personal health and fitness.
Enjoy full access to the Student Recreation Center and Chick Evans Field House. Participate in recreation programs including open recreation, intramurals, personal training, group fitness, massage therapy and acupressure. Pool passes for Gabel and Anderson pools also are available.
Take advantage of early morning and late night hours of operation. Memberships also are available for a spouse, significant other and dependent(s).
Find out more at http://www.recservices.niu.edu or by calling the Membership Services Counter at (815) 753-0231.
The David C. Shapiro Memorial Law Library has announced hours for the spring semester.
Hours through Friday, April 24, are 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 11:30 p.m. Sundays. The library is open from 1 to 10 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19.
Hours during Spring Break are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, March 19, through Friday, March 13. The library is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 7, Sunday, March 8, and Saturday, March 14. Hours Sunday, March 15, are noon to 11:30 p.m.
Call (815) 753-0505 for more information.
After students and instructors in 10 sections of UNIV 101 and 201 courses agreed last semester to participate in a pilot program for the “Common Reading Experience,” most found the integration of “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch and Jeffrey Zaslow as a positive one.
Now Orientation and First-Year Experience is convening faculty, staff and students to discuss the Common Reading Experience program.
A meeting will take place at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, in Room 406 of the Holmes Student Center. Participants will review evaluation results, discuss plans for a 2009 CRE book and find collaborative opportunities to support a common reading experience.
Contact Danielle Kuglin Seago at (815) 753-1933 or dkuglin@niu.edu for more information.
Faculty and staff are invited to attend “Words of Inspiration with Nikki Giovanni” at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, in the Carl Sandberg Auditorium of the Holmes Student Center. Giovanni also will speak at 7:00 p.m. to the entire campus in the center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom.
Giovanni has been named one of Oprah Winfrey’s 25 “living legends” for her continuous efforts to fight for civil rights and equality. She is the author of more than 30 books for both adults and children, and she was the first recipient of the Rosa L. Parks Woman of Courage Award.
For more information about Giovanni, visit www.nikki-giovanni.com. For more information about these events, contact Megan Gerken, Office of Support & Advocacy, at mgerken@niu.edu or (815) 753-0940.
The Ally Program is a campus-wide program designed to foster a welcoming and supportive campus environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, faculty and staff by creating a visible network of allies.
NIU employees and students interested in volunteering for the Ally Program can learn more and register online beginning Wednesday, Jan. 14. The online form provides the specific workshop dates and times and allows registrants to indicate first, second and third choices.
Training is divided into two two-hour workshops (Part I and Part II). Volunteers must attend both Part I and Part II. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Multiple dates are available.
Part I:
Thursday, Jan. 29: 2 to 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 4: 2 to 4 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 9: 9 to 11 a.m.
Part II:
Tuesday, Feb. 17: 2 to 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 25: 2 to 4 p.m.
Monday, March 2: 9 to 11 a.m.
The Ally Program is sponsored by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center, Division of Student Affairs.
A flurry of activities will swirl around the last two weeks of the Nehring Gallery exhibit in downtown DeKalb.
WWI and WWII movie posters will be on display Wednesday, Jan. 14, through Saturday, Jan. 24. Free viewing hours are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays, from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays when there is an exhibit in place, and by appointment at (815) 758-6363.
The first guest speaker, Dale Cozort, is a local author and World War II history specialist who is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14. Saturday, Jan. 17, will feature Don Shoo, WWII veteran at 1 p.m., followed by John S. Wright, owner of the movie poster collection and Wright’s Jewelry on Lincoln Highway, at 2 p.m.
Jeffrey Chown, professor of communication at NIU, will present clips and lead an audience discussion of rarely seen Hollywood WWII films from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21. The vintage movie posters in Wright’s collection all reference black-and-white films made in the 1940s.
On the final day of the World War Movie Poster exhibition, the Egyptian Theatre, one block north of the Nehring Gallery, will screen “The Great Escape” at 12:30, 4 and 7:30 p.m. The film, starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and Richard Attenborough, is a 1963 release set in the European theatre of WWII. General admission is $5 per adult or $4 for students and seniors.
Saturday, Jan. 24, is the last day for participation in the Nehring Gallery drawing for an approximately 9-inch-by-12-inch poster printed by the U.S government in 1945 which Wright has donated. Proceeds are used for gallery expenses.
The 2008-2009 gallery season is partially supported by the Illinois Arts Council and Castle Bank. Friend of Nehring Gallery is currently open for contributions from individuals and businesses. Brochures are available immediately outside of the second floor gallery or by mail if requested at (815) 758-6363.
The Nehring Gallery, housed in the historic First National Bank building and cooperatively operated by the DeKalb Park District and the NIU College of Visual and Performing Arts Outreach Program, is free and open to the public. Parking is available on-street and in adjacent city lots. The accessible entrance is under the awning at 111 South Second Street in the Nehring Center for Culture and Tourism.
New classes, fun ensembles and lessons on all instruments begin this month and next at the NIU Community School of the Arts. People of all ages looking for new hobbies or ways to hone their skills will find many choices.
All classes, ensembles and private lessons are taught on campus. The more than 80 teachers in the program are NIU students majoring in the area in which they teach, as well as NIU faculty and community artists. Private weekly lessons are available on all instruments, as well as in art and theater.
FOR TEENS AND ADULTS
FOR CHILDREN
Discounts are available for those who are enrolled in two or more activities and for those families that have two or more members enrolled.
More information about all the classes, the scholarship application form and registration form are available online at www.niu.edu/extprograms. The office is located in Room 132 of the Music Building. The phone number is (815) 753-1450.
The Community Dance School at NIU begins its spring 12-week session Monday, Jan. 19, and meets weekly through Friday, May 1, with a recital Saturday, May 2.
The school is sponsored by the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education and is directed by Diane Rimmer.
Classes begin at age 4 and continue through teen and adult. Classes offered include creative movement, ballet, lyrical, tap, Irish step dancing, Scottish Highland dancing, breakdancing, jazz/hip-hop, modern as well as ballroom, Latin and swing. Students are taught by NIU faculty and instructors who hold degrees in dance education, have danced professionally or are currently dance performance majors at NIU.
New this semester are breakdancing classes taught by Sherwin Manila, director of Groundhogs dance company. Meredith Lutz, a former Scottish Highland dancing competitor, will teach Scottish Highland dancing and Barbara Heimerdinger, an NIU faculty member, will teach ballroom, Latin and swing.
Registration will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, in Anderson Hall, Studio 130. For more information, call (815) 753-0277 or (815) 756-4092.
The Paideia Projects, a not-for-profit educational organization, will present its sixth DVD documentary premiere at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at Meridian Banquet and Conference Center, 1701 Algonquin Road in Rolling Meadows.
George Kourvetaris, professor emeritus of sociology and social thought, is executive producer of the project.
This year’s theme is “Ancient Games and Celebrations.” It examines the history, religion, culture and politics of ancient Olympics and other Panhellenic games. This DVD contrasts and compares how the ancient games were conducted versus modern Olympics.
Donation is $65 per person and $45 for students. It includes open bar, a buffet dinner with more than 20 different dishes and appetizers, a harpist playing classical and ancient melodies, a book exhibit and an art exhibition.
Call (815) 758-4088 or e-mail ykourvet@comcast.net for tickets. For more information, visit www.paideiaprojects.com.
NIU’s University Writing Center, in collaboration with Founders Memorial Library, will open a satellite site Tuesday, Jan. 20, in Founders 302.
The site will be open from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Appointments will be walk-in only on a first come-first serve basis.
Headquartered on the lower level of Stevenson Towers South, the University Writing Center is a place for all writers at NIU – undergraduates, graduates, staff and even faculty – to talk one-on-one about their writing with trained consultants. Visitors can:
NIU’s Presidential Commission on the Status of Women is accepting nominations for the 2009 NIU Outstanding Women Student Awards.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, Jan. 23.
This recognition program was created in 1980 and is held annually to encourage the full participation of women students in all facets of the university experience and in their communities; to support their development of corresponding strengths, both cooperative and competitive; and to celebrate their achievements and contributions, including those not usually recognized by other award programs.
Details about eligibility and nomination forms are available online and by calling (815) 753-0320.
NIU Prism, the student-led LGBT and Ally social group, will begin an experimental book discussion group on the fourth Monday of each month in the LGBT Resource Center. The center is located on the seventh floor of the Holmes Student Center.
The first meeting of the semester is from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26. Books selected are Lambda Award-winning works that address the issues of the LGBT community.
NIU’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Studies Program is currently accepting nominations for new faculty associates and program affiliates. The program offers undergraduate and graduate certificates of study and serves students in a number of colleges and disciplines across campus.
Faculty associates typically teach and/or research some aspect of LGBT studies whereas program affiliates are employees of the university who support the program but are not necessarily involved in related research or teaching. This visible link with the program hopes to facilitate collaborative programming, instigate grant proposals and foster other research and teaching activities.
To nominate yourself or someone else, contact Diana Swanson at dswanson@niu.edu. The nomination deadline is Friday, Jan. 30.
Art Express, offered by the NIU Community School of the Arts, returns Saturday, Jan. 31. Children ages 4 to 12 have the chance to work on innovative and fun art projects for five weeks.
This class has a long history of sharing the skills of art education students at the university with children in the community. The children are divided into classrooms and work on projects around a theme. Every semester, the theme and projects are different. The class meets from 1 to 3 p.m.
Children of NIU staff, faculty and students receive free tuition for the class and are only asked to pay the $15 program registration fee. The office is located on campus in Room 132 of the Music Building. For more information, call (815) 753-1450 or visit www.niu.edu/extprograms.
The colorful and whimsical collages and acrylic paintings of Northern Illinois University alumna Nancy Legner are on display during January at a solo showing at the DeKalb Area Women’s Center.
Legner, who continues to live in northern Illinois after her decision to leave her classroom for a full-time career as an exhibiting artist, recently returned to DeKalb from an exhibit at the Ceres Gallery in the Chelsea Art District of New York City.
She earned a master of fine arts degree from the NIU School of Art in 1983, taught elementary art in the Batavia Public School District 101 and is an award-winning member of the Illinois Art Education Association.
Her hometown has provided inspiration for a mixed-media painting in the exhibit. “Greetings from Sandwich, Illinois” was created as a zany greeting card – a visual reaction to all those years of people kidding her about the town’s name.
Prominent in this collage are a colorized photo of a cattle lot, a cow wearing Barbie sunglasses with a pin-cushion hat and, of course, a sandwich. Diagonal placement of paper dolls and pointing fingers are used to create movement. In this activity-filled fantasy landscape, the artist is represented as a little girl holding her artist palette observing the town’s antics. The turbulent composition is tied together with strands of cascading vintage necklaces and bracelets.
Text narratives accompany the visuals to continue the fantastic journey.
Paintings and prints are available for viewing and for sale. Individuals and groups are welcome to visit the art exhibit from 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays in January, or by appointment. The closing reception will be held Friday, Jan. 30.
The DAWC is located at 1021 State Street in DeKalb. Parking is available in the paved lot off of Eleventh Street, one-half block south of the building. The handicapped-accessible lift can be reached from the alley north of the building. For further information, or to arrange a group showing, call Anna Marie Coveny, gallery director, at (815) 758-1351 or (815) 761-1735.
The NIU Operating Staff Dependent Scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance to children of NIU Operating Staff (civil service) employees while attending NIU. This award is made possible through funds presented by the NIU Civil Service employees’ fundraising activities.
Eligibility requirements:
The maximum amount that will be awarded to any individual is $2,500 over five academic years.
The award of $250 per semester will be awarded for both fall and spring or for just an individual semester. All scholarship and award requests must be made payable to NIU. This scholarship will be routed through the Office of Student Financial Aid and applied directly to the students’ bursar accounts.
The application deadline is Sunday, Feb. 1, or the first business day thereafter. Send completed applications to Jay Monteiro, president, Operating Staff Council, Human Resources, NIU, DeKalb, Ill., 60115.
Student Involvement & Leadership Development will provide a new alternative for students looking for Spring Break plans: The Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program offers students the opportunity to use their time to complete volunteer work and explore a significant social issue in another part of the country.
ASB 2009, held the week of March 7, will take students to the Houston/Galveston area to help with the continuing relief efforts from Hurricane Ike. Airfare, meals on-site and lodging for participants are included in the $550 fee. Fundraising opportunities are available.
The Alternative Spring Break program is the latest addition to the events and services provided by the Student Involvement & Leadership Development office. Students can use SILD’s resources to explore community service opportunities in the surrounding communities as well as participate in events such as Huskie Paws for a Cause and NIU Cares Day.
SILD administrators hope that the ASB program will grow into an annual event, with participants assisting in locations across the country and learning about a variety of social issues, including homelessness, poverty and literacy.
An application and $150 deposit are required to secure a spot on this year’s ASB trip. The deadline is Friday, February 6. Registration information is available at the Student Involvement & Leadership Development web site, located by clicking on the Volunteerism link at http://www.niu.edu/studentinvolvement.
Interested individuals can contact Becky Harlow, ASB adviser, at rharlow@niu.edu or join the “Alternative Spring Break 2009” group on Facebook.
The Parents’ Association staff welcomes all Huskie fathers and mothers back to NIU this spring to participate in special traditions: Dad’s Weekend and Moms’ Weekend.
Scheduled for Feb. 27 through March 1 (fathers) and March 27 to 29 (mothers), the weekends allow students and their family members the opportunity to enjoy an array of events, both on the campus as well as in the DeKalb community.
Included are Huskie sporting events, theater productions, a Casino Night for dads and exhibitions for moms.
The Parents’ Association also has coordinated several special events especially for Dads’ Weekend participants, including a welcome reception and unlimited bowling and billiards in the Huskies Den. Moms’ Weekend participants can enjoy a jewelry-making session and a “Taste of DeKalb” progressive lunch, allowing students and family to experience a selection of DeKalb’s local restaurants.
First-year students and their parents and families “appreciate the opportunity to spend time with their students in their home away from home,” said Becky Harlow, adviser to the Parents’ Association. “Events like these allow an opportunity for students to ‘show and tell’ about their experiences as NIU students.”
Event and registration information are available at the Parents’ Association Web site, located by clicking on the Parents’ Association link at http://www.niu.edu/studentinvolvement. Registration is due Friday, Feb. 13, for Dads’ Weekend and Friday, March 13, for Moms’ Weekend.
Interested individuals can contact Harlow at www.parents.niu.edu.
NIU’s Presidential Commission on the Status of Women is seeking nominations for three staff awards: the Wilma D. Stricklin Award for Enhancement of the Climate for Women on Campus, the Outstanding Mentor Award and the Women Who Make a Difference Award.
Criteria and nomination information on these three awards is available online or by calling (815) 753-0320. The nomination deadline is Monday, March 2.
NIU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences External Programming will offer two review courses during the spring semester for those intending to take the GRE, GMAT and LSAT. Sessions begin in January and in April and take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays in Swen Parson Hall. Sessions include a lunch break.
Register online at www.niu.edu/clasep, by phone at (815) 753-0277 or at the Monat Building, 148 N. Third St., Room 152.
The Lifelong Learning Institute will offer the following study groups beginning Tuesday, Jan. 20. Classes meet over a four-week period unless otherwise noted; visit the Web site for specific dates and register online.
LLI also will host the Winter Notables Lecture Series. Presentations are held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays in the Holmes Student Center, Room 505. The lectures are free and open to the public. Topics are subject to change; confirmation is recommended.
Join NIU and the University of Chicago in a Friday, Feb. 6, exploration of the Yerkes Observatory at Williams Bay, Wis.
Established in 1897, the observatory housed the University of Chicago’s Astronomy and Astrophysics Department. The historic building, located on the 77-acre park-like site, houses the world’s biggest lens-type telescope and continues to provide laboratory space and access to telescopes for research and instruction. The observatory was constructed outside the hustle, bustle and smog of Chicago to provide the clearest possible air for observations.
The facility includes a library and museum with displays featuring astronomers who had a profound impact on the scientific and local communities within the last century, as well as information on comets, galaxies, nebulae and the death of stars. Participants will learn about the observatory’s history, important discoveries and ongoing research in astronomy and astrophysics.
Depart at 2:45 p.m. from the Holmes Student Center, Normal Road entrance; return approximately 7:30 p.m. Cost is $35 and includes entrance fees, guide, snack and transportation.
To register, call (815) 753-0277 and reference Event #10121 or to register online, visit www.niu.edu/clasep and click on Special Events. For more information, contact LA&S External Programming at (815) 753-5200 or lasep@niu.edu.